cock-sure
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Certain: a metaphor borrowed front the cock of a firelock, as being much more certain to fire than the match.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “cock-sure” mean?
Certain: a metaphor borrowed front the cock of a firelock, as being much more certain to fire than the match.
Is “cock-sure” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.